AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP)—Air Force rode a near-perfect shooting performance by Dan Nwaelele to a 78-66 win over IPFW Saturday.
The 6-foot-5 senior forward from Bothell, Wash. hit two of two field goals, three of three 3-point attempts and went 11-for-11 from the free throw line en route to a career-high 26 points and game-high scoring honors. His only miss was on a desperation drive to the hoop a split second before the shot clock expired.
Consecutive 3-pointers by Nwaelele midway through the second half gave Air Force a 63-52 lead, and may have put the game outside the Mastadons’ reach.
Air Force (8-1) had taken an early lead, and led 34-29 at the half, but IPFW used strong outside shooting to keep the game close.
Jakari Johnson sank five of nine 3-point attempts in leading IPFW scorers with 19 points. Forward Scott DeWitt added another three of four 3-pointers, to finish with 15 points for IPFW (3-5).
Nwaelele’s effort is the highest individual point total for Air Force this season. His previous high was 23.
Guard Tim Anderson, the only junior among Air Force starters finished with 18 points and had a career-high four steals. Jacob Burtschi added 14 points.
Air Force returns to action Wednesday, hosting Texas Pan-American. IPFW travels to Michigan State on Wednesday.
